Creative Research Methods in the Social Sciences

A Practical Guide

Paper $42.95ISBN: 9781447316275
Published
June 2015
For sale in North and South America only

Cloth $111.00ISBN: 9781447316268
Published
May 2015
For sale in North and South America only

Creative research methods can help to answer complex contemporary questions that traditional methods alone cannot; they can also be more ethical, helping researchers to address social injustice in new ways. This accessible book is the first to identify and examine the four pillars of creative research methods: arts-based research, research using technology, mixed-method research, and transformative research frameworks. Written in a practical and jargon-free style, it offers numerous examples from around the world of creative methods in practice in the social sciences, arts, and humanities. Spanning the gulf between ideas and practice, this useful book will inform and inspire researchers by demonstrating why, when, and how to use creative methods in their research.

Introducing creative researchCreative research methods in practiceCreative research methods and ethicsCreative thinkingGathering dataAnalysing dataWriting for researchPresentationDissemination, implementation and knowledge exchangeConclusion

Review Quotes

Sarah Lewthwaite, ESRC National Centre for Research Methods, University of Southampton | LSE Review of Books

“A reflexive, dialogic book that demands active reading. As a creative text for students and teachers, the book is designed to enable and support, rather than prescribe. . . . Creative Research Methods in the Social Sciences opens a window onto some of the most innovative contemporary social research practices. It will reward active readers, new scholars, researchers and those seeking to gain a sense of this dynamic field.”

Ana Canhoto | anacanhoto.com

“Cover[s] such a wide range of topics that you really need to take your time to think about the various ideas being proposed, and to explore some of the various additional resources suggested by the author. I am now looking forward to experimenting with imagery and storytelling as a way of collecting data.”

Jeffrey Keefer, New York University and Trust for Public Land | Goodreads

"This text acknowledges that the straight-jacket approach to research is something better left to the past as complex research venues, questions, and expectations leave us wanting more."

Qualitative Research

"Kara presents a useful prompt for researchers to infuse creativity into the already creative act of research."

Laura Ellingson, Santa Clara University

“Creative Research Methods in the Social Sciences is a groundbreaking work that will change how engaged scholars think about and practice research.”

Martin Tolich, University of Otago, New Zealand

“Forever contrasting with traditional research methods, Kara demonstrates with engaging and useful examples that there is a remarkable amount of scope for creativity in unlocking the worlds we research.”

Rosalind Edwards, University of Southampton

“Kara’s accessible book is a treasure trove addressing every aspect of the creative research process—inspiration for students, teachers, and practitioners of methods grappling with how best to investigate complex social worlds.”

For more information, or to order this book, please visit https://www.press.uchicago.edu